Local stocks of interest in the news

Local stocks of interest in the news

August 9, 2009

CVS Caremark

Friday's close: $34.47 , up 2.9 6% from previous week

Second-quarter profit at one of the nation's biggest drugstore operators rose 15 percent to $886.5 million, or 60 cents a share, helped by strong pharmacy benefits revenue and a retail sales boost due to a later Easter. The results beat Wall Street expectations and the company boosted its outlook for the full year. Revenue rose 18 percent to $24.87 billion.

Electronic Arts

Friday's close: $20.71 , down 3.54% from previous week

Changes in accounting for deferred revenue drove EA to report a larger loss and lower sales for its fiscal first quarter amid a seasonal slump for the industry. But adjusted results surpassed Wall Street's expectations, boosted by strong launches of such games as The Sims 3 and EA Sports Active. EA lost $234 million as revenue fell 20 percent to $644 million.

Gaylord Entertainment

Friday's close: $18.30 , up 28.24% from previous week

The owner of convention resorts -- such as the Gaylord Palms Hotel and Convention Center in Kissimmee -- and country music's Grand Ole Opry said last week that its second-quarter profit climbed 15 percent to $10.1 million, helped by attrition and cancellation fees. Revenue fell 16 percent to $218.3 million.

Pulte Homes

Friday's close: $ 12.64 , up 11.17 % % from previous week

Pulte Homes last week posted a $189.5 million loss as revenue dropped 58 percent. However, Pulte, which is merging with Centex Corp. to form the largest U.S. homebuilder, reported new-home orders picked up during the first half of 2009. Both builders' shareholders will meet Aug. 18 for a vote on Pulte's proposed takeover of Centex for $1.3 billion in stock.

National avg. for a 30-year fixed mortgage: 5.22%, down 0.03 from previous week

National avg. for a 15-year fixed mortgage: 4.63%, down 0.06 from previous week